A New Face at the Reference Desk

Hi there! I’m Sarah and I’m a graduate reference intern this fall at the Musselman Library.  I’m currently in my last semester of completing my Master of Library Science degree with Clarion University of Pennsylvania.  I graduated from Susquehanna University with a degree in history.  I wanted a profession that combines my love of research with my passion for teaching so that’s how I found my way to library science.  My professors and librarians at Susquehanna were helpful in guiding me to this profession where I will never stop learning.

                My passion for history is balanced with a desire to help others to learn in or outside of the classroom.   I really enjoy the opportunities that higher education provides, especially in its ability to empower lives through access to knowledge and experiences.  I find the transformation that occurs over four years to be incredible.  I've been a volunteer and employee in several libraries, and no matter the setting, I enjoy the ability to provide exemplary service and continually explore better ways to make quality information accessible.  I hope you can hear my enthusiasm as you read, because I am genuinely excited about making the library a great place to be and ensuring that libraries continue to meet users’ changing, evolving information needs. 

As a reference intern this semester, I am providing reference assistance and delivering individualized research appointments in a variety of subjects.  You’ll be able to find me at the reference desk every Tuesday and Wednesday.  I’d love to help answer any questions you might have.  Come say hello!

                Before I wrap this up, I’ll share with you some fun, library-related facts about myself:

Favorite book: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

                I love Fitzgerald for many reasons, but I love him even more since learning that my great-grandfather was one of his childhood friends in St. Paul, Minnesota.  How did I find this out?!  Fitzgerald mentioned him directly in his thoughtbook.

Favorite children’s book:  It’s a tie between Oh the Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss and the American Girl series. 

Besides the fact that my family always has instilled in me a love for history, the American Girl series really made history come to life.  I was a huge fan of Felicity, Kirsten, and Molly.  My family even vacationed in Williamsburg so I could explore the place where Felicity lived. 

Oh the Places You’ll Go exemplifies my life’s motto.  Rarely a book can have such significance that transcends age.  “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”

Favorite library: Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

                The LOC is beautiful, inside and out.  With marble, mosaics, and stained glass, America’s largest library has 147 million items with 33 million books.  I always get a special feeling sitting in the main reading room.  Being surrounded by so much knowledge is empowering.  I also love that they have Thomas Jefferson’s original library on display.  He sold it to the government when the Capitol, the Library’s first home, was burnt in 1814.  It was my pleasure to work there over the summer as a Junior Fellow and I was privileged to see some of the world's greatest treasures up close. 

Library I wish I could visit: Trinity College Library at University of Dublin — Dublin, Ireland

                Just look at it!